Quote:
Originally Posted by HomerS
What is your definition of working?
If the only goal here is to increase handle from last year it is definitely working. No ifs ands or buts
But idea here is to have a sustainable business model. To stay in business.
Is current handle sufficient to cover the higher purse payouts? That is the question and answer is clearly no not now. Handle needs to be significantly higher
As far as comparing to Belmont it is next door, dealing with same demographics. If Belmont is generating higher handle and paying out less in purses that tells us something.
Its about sustainable business models. Not short term thinking thats how we are where we are
Understand its a last desperate effort. And am pulling hard for it to work. Going to enjoy betting it all summer.
But trying to be realistic here.
If handle isnt sufficient to cover purses where do we go then next year? Will people assume, based on this years handle that they would get same results with $350-$400k in purses? What is the backup plan?
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Homer-
Do you really think thats true? I remember monmouth being over an hour away from new york city but i could be wrong. That being the case, wouldnt that change things a little?
Also, in terms of "sustainable business models" as you put it, which track/circuits work beside the ones that are supplemented by slots?
I think what Monmouth is doing is part of the future of the sport. The bigger, deeper fields with higher purses makes a lot more sense on many levels than the way Belmont or Hollywood park does it.
The traditional model for horse racing as a self sustaining business is broken. The world has changed. Entertainment options both sporting or otherwise have grown exponentially since the heyday of the game. Randall hit it right on the head. These problems that you are speaking of are industry issues.